DIY brake pad removal advice

gippy · 08-29-2019, 03:40 PM

hi folks...

i want to change my brake pads on Saturday. (Brembo M performance)
I'm wondering what will be the best way to push the pistons back so i have enough room to slide the new pads in?

seen various techniques on youtube - people levering against the disc with a bar etc.... all look a bit dodgy.

what is the proper way to do it?
BMW manual says use this tool.....
what can i use as a substitute?

also,
what sort of Grease do i need to apply on the new pads?

thanks!

phoizgood415 · 08-29-2019, 04:32 PM

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Jorgensen-6...amp/1001053746

Bought it, used it, returned it.

rak299 · 08-29-2019, 04:41 PM

I have always used a really big screwdriver or with 2 pistons, 2 screwdrivers. I change one pad at a time. Copper grease on the back of the disk, where it hits the pistons. DO NOT GREASE THE FRICTION SURFACES

Ahanix · 08-29-2019, 05:06 PM

I just finished this earlier this week and the calipers are movable enough you should be able to just push them in by hand if needed

dr.roro · 08-29-2019, 05:38 PM

I just bought these from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

bheng89 · 08-29-2019, 05:51 PM

bought one of these from harbor freight. cost a couple of bucks and kept it for other brake jobs. not the best but got the job done.

https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-2...e%2C133&sr=1-3

Watsey · 08-30-2019, 06:22 AM

Piston spreaders are cheap - this one works well :

Mekanik Disc brake piston spreader seperator tool/brake calliper/pad by Uk Tools Direct
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C8YZH..._6AqADb5ZD42WS

In terms of helping to reduce brake pad squeal Copperslip is OK but tends to go hard and can smoke if the brakes get really hot.

I prefer to use ceramic grease, like this :

Granville 0841A Ceramic Brake Grease, 500 g
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KIMKC..._8yqADbVA763QZ

Hawko · 08-30-2019, 11:22 AM

I use a G-clamp with a couple of bits of thin plywood for protection.

oksymoroni · 08-30-2019, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bheng89

bought one of these from harbor freight. cost a couple of bucks and kept it for other brake jobs. not the best but got the job done.

https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-2...e%2C133&sr=1-3

This is what I use as well. Just use one of the old brake pads to spread the load.

JaredG_F30 · 08-30-2019, 02:32 PM

I've thought about trying one of these out

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PQZ859J..._2LxADb1WW0AA0

gippy · 08-31-2019, 04:05 PM

thanks for the input guys,
I bought a piston spreader for £10 off amazon, worked perfectly, without having to remove the caliper or anything. Sorted

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ali820 · 08-31-2019, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahanix

I just finished this earlier this week and the calipers are movable enough you should be able to just push them in by hand if needed

Same here. By hand was easy enough.

zole2112 · 08-31-2019, 05:12 PM

Big Ass G-Clamp

08-29-2019, 03:40 PM	#1
gippy Lieutenant 230 Rep 525 Posts Drives: F32 440i, pre-LCI, w/MPPSK Join Date: May 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	DIY brake pad removal advice hi folks... i want to change my brake pads on Saturday. (Brembo M performance) I'm wondering what will be the best way to push the pistons back so i have enough room to slide the new pads in? seen various techniques on youtube - people levering against the disc with a bar etc.... all look a bit dodgy. what is the proper way to do it? BMW manual says use this tool..... what can i use as a substitute? also, what sort of Grease do i need to apply on the new pads? thanks!
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08-29-2019, 04:32 PM	#2
phoizgood415 Private 33 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 435i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	https://www.lowes.com/pd/Jorgensen-6...amp/1001053746 Bought it, used it, returned it.
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08-29-2019, 04:41 PM	#3
rak299 Major 601 Rep 1,048 Posts Drives: 2021 M3 6MT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: san francisco iTrader: (0)	I have always used a really big screwdriver or with 2 pistons, 2 screwdrivers. I change one pad at a time. Copper grease on the back of the disk, where it hits the pistons. DO NOT GREASE THE FRICTION SURFACES
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-29-2019, 05:06 PM	#4
Ahanix Second Lieutenant 135 Rep 234 Posts Drives: 2016 340i Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Utah, United States iTrader: (0)	I just finished this earlier this week and the calipers are movable enough you should be able to just push them in by hand if needed
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08-29-2019, 05:38 PM	#5
dr.roro Captain 196 Rep 832 Posts Drives: 2019 G01 X3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435i Coupe [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i [0.00]	I just bought these from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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08-29-2019, 05:51 PM	#6
bheng89 Second Lieutenant 79 Rep 270 Posts Drives: 2012 328xi Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: KY iTrader: (0)	bought one of these from harbor freight. cost a couple of bucks and kept it for other brake jobs. not the best but got the job done. https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-2...e%2C133&sr=1-3 __________________ 2013 328i xDrive \| M Performance Exhaust \| Injen Intake \| DEPO Headlights \| 2019 440i xDrive \| Muffler Delete \|
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08-30-2019, 06:22 AM	#7
Watsey Major General 6422 Rep 8,501 Posts Drives: F31 330D sDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On sabbatical. iTrader: (1)	Piston spreaders are cheap - this one works well : Mekanik Disc brake piston spreader seperator tool/brake calliper/pad by Uk Tools Direct https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C8YZH..._6AqADb5ZD42WS In terms of helping to reduce brake pad squeal Copperslip is OK but tends to go hard and can smoke if the brakes get really hot. I prefer to use ceramic grease, like this : Granville 0841A Ceramic Brake Grease, 500 g https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KIMKC..._8yqADbVA763QZ __________________ Current : F31 330sD, remapped, Ohlins Road & Track, Millway camber plates, Quaife LSD, Stoptech brakes + Pagid RSL1 pads all round, Weichers front strut brace, Eibach front & rear anti-roll bars, Michelin MP4S.
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08-30-2019, 11:22 AM	#8
Hawko Private 15 Rep 51 Posts Drives: F36 435D 2019 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I use a G-clamp with a couple of bits of thin plywood for protection.
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08-30-2019, 02:32 PM	#10
JaredG_F30 Lieutenant Colonel 1106 Rep 1,499 Posts Drives: 2014 335i, M-Sport, Manual Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	I've thought about trying one of these out https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PQZ859J..._2LxADb1WW0AA0 __________________ 2014 F30 335i, M-Sport, 6MT, V804s, custom exhaust, CTS Turbo Intake & IC, FTP CP, VRSF DP, TMS Strut Brace, BM3 Stg 2, AEM WMI, H&R Sport Springs (381 whp, 429 wtq on Cali 91oct before WMI). SPI Films Blog/DIY Vids
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08-31-2019, 04:05 PM	#11
gippy Lieutenant 230 Rep 525 Posts Drives: F32 440i, pre-LCI, w/MPPSK Join Date: May 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	thanks for the input guys, I bought a piston spreader for £10 off amazon, worked perfectly, without having to remove the caliper or anything. Sorted https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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08-31-2019, 05:12 PM	#13
zole2112 Modder of everything I own 147 Rep 491 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Xdrive Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Appleton, WI iTrader: (0)	Big Ass G-Clamp __________________ 2013 BMW 335xi F30 N55 PWG/VRSF DP/ER CP/Injen CAI/AA FMIC/JB4 map 7/Fuel= E50 w/ E85:93oct/Stock LPFP & HPFP/CATuned coilovers/Megan Racing Rear Swaybar/Powerflex Rear Subframe Bushing Inserts/Dual aFe Power Mach Force Mufflers/Resonator Delete/MHD & BMS Race BEF
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